Power Receiver For Extracting Power From Electric Field Energy in the Earth

ABSTRACT

A resonant transformer connected between a ground terminal and elevated terminal draws current from the earth&#39;s electric field through a primary winding of the transformer. An impulse generator applies a high voltage impulse to the primary winding of the resonant transformer to cause current to flow from the ground terminal through the primary winding. The flow of current through the primary winding of the resonant transformer induces a current in the secondary winding, which may be converted and filtered to a usable form, e.g. 60 Hz AC or DC.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/521,764, filed Jul. 25, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/397,281, filed Jan. 3, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,389,138, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.14/509,772, filed Oct. 8, 2014, U.S. Pat. No. 9,564,268, which claimsthe benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/889,894, filed Oct.11, 2013, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to renewable energy, and moreparticularly to methods and apparatus for extracting energy fromsubsurface electrical fields beneath the earth's surface.

BACKGROUND

The earth and the ionosphere cavity may be viewed as a global electriccircuit. Electrical currents are constantly flowing within the earth andits atmosphere. Within the earth, the majority of the earth's energy iscarried by extremely low frequency (ELF) and ultralow frequency (ULF)waves in the 0-200 Hz frequency range. The earth's rotating magneticfield and positive lightning are two energy sources that sustain theELF/ULF waves within the earth and the atmosphere.

A great deal of research has been devoted to studying the electric fieldpresent in the earth's ionosphere cavity. Joseph M. Crawley, the “FairWeather Atmosphere as a Power Source”, Proceedings ESA Annual Meeting onElectrostatics 2011; O. Jefimenko, “Operation of Electric Motors fromAtmospheric Electric Field,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 39, Pgs.776-779, 1971; M. L. Breuer, “Usability of Tapping Atmospheric Charge asa Power Source,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 28, Pgs. 1121-1127, 2003.Numerous attempts have been made in the past to extract electricalenergy from the earth's atmosphere. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,540,998to Plauson describes a system for converting atmospheric electricalenergy into usable power. These past attempts have been successful inproducing only small amounts of power from the electrical field in theearth's ionosphere cavity. The modest success of these experimentscompared to results from other renewable energy sources, such as solarand wind, has tempered further research and prevented widespread use ofthe electric field in the ionosphere cavity as an energy source.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a power receiver for extracting powerfrom electric fields beneath the earth's surface. In embodiments of thepresent disclosure, a resonant transformer connected to a groundterminal draws current from the earth's electric field through theprimary winding of the transformer. Current flow through the resonanttransformer is induced by applying a high voltage impulse to the primarywinding. The flow of current through the primary winding of the resonanttransformer induces a current in the secondary winding, which may beconverted and filtered to a usable form, e.g. 60 Hz AC or DC.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant frequency of theresonant transformers is below 200 Hz.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant transformercomprises a ferro-resonant transformer.

In some embodiments, the power receiver further comprises an elevatedterminal.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the primary winding of theresonant transformer is connected between the ground terminal andelevated terminal.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the elevated terminalcomprises an upper capacitive plate coupled to the earth's ionospherecavity.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the impulse generatorcomprises the upper capacitive plate and a spark gap connected betweenthe upper capacitive plate and the primary winding of the resonanttransformer. The spark gap comprises a pair of electrodes separated by agap and configured to generate a spark when a voltage difference betweenthe electrodes reaches a predetermined level.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the impulse generatorcomprises a pulse generator for generating low voltage pulses, a step-uptransformer for converting the low voltage pulses provided by the pulsegenerator to high voltage impulses, and a spark gap connected betweenthe step-up transformer and the primary winding of the resonanttransformer to generate a spark responsive to the high voltage impulsesfrom the step-up transformer.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the impulse generatorcomprises a pulse generator for generating low voltage pulses, and astep-up transformer connected to the primary winding of the resonanttransformer for converting the low voltage pulses provided by the pulsegenerator to high voltage impulses.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the impulse generatorcomprises a solid state spark generator.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant transformerincludes a capacitor connected in parallel with the primary winding.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant transformerincludes a capacitor connected in series with the primary windingbetween the impulse generator and the elevated terminal.

In some embodiments, the power receiver comprises multiple resonanttransformers having primary windings connected in parallel between theground terminal and the elevated terminal.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant transformershave different resonant frequencies.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant frequencies ofthe resonant transformers are all below 200 Hz.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant frequencies ofthe resonant transformers are matched to respective Schumann resonances.

Another embodiment of the power receiver comprises a resonant circuitconnected to a ground terminal disposed below the surface of the earth,an impulse generator for generating and applying a high voltageelectrical impulse to the resonant circuit to induce current flow fromthe ground terminal through the resonant circuit, and a power conversioncircuit connected to the resonant circuit to convert electrical currentflowing through the resonant circuit to a desired form. The resonantcircuit has a resonant frequency below 200 Hertz.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant circuitcomprises a resonant transformer having a primary winding, a secondarywinding, and resonant capacitor connected in series with the primarywinding.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant circuitcomprises multiple resonant transformers having primary windingsconnected in parallel to the ground terminal.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant transformershave different resonant frequencies.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant frequencies ofthe resonant transformers are all below 200 Hz.

In some embodiments of the power receiver, the resonant frequencies ofthe resonant transformers are matched to respective Schumann resonances.

Other embodiments of the disclosure comprise a ground terminal for apower receiver. In one embodiment, the ground terminal comprises aground shaft configured for insertion beneath the surface of the earth,a hollow cylinder surrounding the ground shaft and having a plurality ofopenings, and a plurality of ground wires connected at one end to theground shaft. The ground wires are wound around the ground shaft andhave free ends protruding through respective openings in the hollowshaft so that rotation of the ground shaft relative to the hollowcylinder causes the ground wires to extend radially into the earth.

Other embodiments of the disclosure comprise methods of extracting powerfrom the earth. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying a highvoltage impulse to resonant circuit coupled to a ground terminaldisposed beneath the surface of the earth to initiate resonance in theresonant circuit and induce the flow of current from the ground terminalto the resonant circuit, and converting the current flowing from theground terminal into the resonant circuit into a useful form.

In some embodiments of the method, the resonant circuit comprises aresonant transformer including a primary winding coupled to the groundterminal and a second winding coupled to a power converter, and applyinga high voltage impulse to resonant circuit comprises applying a highvoltage impulse to the primary winding of the resonant transformer.

In some embodiments of the method, applying a high voltage impulse tothe primary winding of the resonant transformer comprises applying animpulse in the range to 10,000 to 40,000 volts to primary winding of thetransformer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a power receiver.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a power receiver.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of a power receiver.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of a power receiver.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of a power receiver.

FIG. 6A is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary ground antennaarray for the power receiver.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of an assembled ground antenna arraybefore being deployed.

FIG. 6C is a perspective view of an assembled ground antenna array afterbeing deployed.

FIG. 7A is a side view of an insertion tool for installing the groundantenna array.

FIG. 7B is a top view of the insertion tool for installing the groundantenna array.

FIG. 7C is a bottom view of the insertion tool for installing the groundantenna array.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, a power receiver for extracting energyfrom the earth's electric field are illustrated and indicated generallyby the numeral 10. Various embodiments of the power receiver 10 aredescribed and similar reference numbers are used throughout thedescription to indicate similar components.

The power receiver 10 converts energy in the ELF/ULF waves to usefulform, e.g. 60 Hz AC or DC. The power receiver 10 is essentially aresonance circuit that resonates at the natural resonance frequencies inthe earth's electric field. These resonance frequencies, known asSchumann resonance frequencies, occur at 7.83 Hz, 14.3 Hz, 20.8 Hz, 27.3Hz, and 33.8 Hz. A high voltage impulse initiates resonance within thepower receiver 10. In the resonant mode, the impedance of the powerreceiver 10 is reduced to near zero thus inducing ground currents toflow into the power receiver 10 where the ground currents are convertedto useful form.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the power receiver 10. Thepower receiver 10 comprises a resonant transformer 30 connected betweenan elevated terminal 15 and ground terminal 25. In this embodiment, theelevated terminal 15 is capacitively coupled to electric fields withinthe earth's ionosphere cavity and functions as an upper capacitiveplate. A lower capacitive plate 20 is connected to the ground terminal25 beneath the surface of the earth.

The resonant transformer 30 comprises a primary winding 35, secondarywinding 40, ferromagnetic core 45, and capacitor 50. One end of theprimary winding 35 is connected to the lower capacitive plate 20 andground terminal 25. The opposite end of the primary winding 35 isconnected via a spark gap 90 to the elevated terminal 15. The capacitor50 is connected in parallel with the primary winding 35 of the resonanttransformer 30 to form an LC circuit 55 with a resonance frequency rangeof between about 0.1 and 200 Hz. In a preferred embodiment, the resonanttransformer has a Q of about 10 or greater and resonance frequency inthe range of about 0.1-200 Hertz. For example, the resonant transformer30 may have a resonance frequency of about 7.83 Hz, the fundamentalSchumann resonance frequency. The secondary winding 40 of the resonanttransformer 30 is connected to a power converter 110 as will behereinafter described in greater detail. The power converter 110converts the energy extracted from the earth's electric field by thepower receiver 10 into a usable form for driving a load 140.

The elevated terminal/upper capacitive plate 15 comprises an insulated,dish-shaped plate with a large radius of curvature. The capacitance andresistance of the elevated terminal is chosen for receiving broadbandelectric field frequencies in the 0-200 Hz range. The upper capacitiveplate 15 is sized to maximize to the extent practical coupling with theelectric field in the earth's ionosphere cavity.

The lower capacitive plate 20 is also a dish-shaped plate with a largeradius of curvature. One function of the lower capacitive plate 20 is tocollect charge from the earth's ground currents and provide aninstantaneous source of current as hereinafter described. Thecapacitance and resistance of the lower capacitive plate 20 is selectedto promote the flow of current from the ground with minimal losses.

The spark gap 90 connected between the elevated terminal 15 and resonanttransformer 30 comprises a pair of electrodes 95, 100 separated by anevacuated air gap 105. Electrode 95 is connected to the upper capacitiveplate 15. Electrode 100 is connected to the resonant transformer 30. Thespark gap 105 prevents electrical discharge from the upper capacitiveplate 15 to the earth's ionosphere cavity. The spark gap 90 incombination with the elevated terminal 15 function as an impulsegenerator that applies a high voltage impulse of about 10,000-40,000volts to the primary winding 35 to initiate resonance in the transformer30.

In operation, the capacitive coupling of the upper capacitive plate 15induces a high voltage operating current in the upper capacitive plate15. The upper capacitive plate is connected to a first electrode 95 tothe spark gap 90. When the voltage difference between the electrodes 95and 100 reaches a threshold, a spark forms across the electrodes 95,100and a high voltage impulse is applied to the primary winding 35 of theresonant transformer 30. This high voltage impulse initiates resonancewithin the transformer 30.

In resonant mode, the impedance of the resonance transformer is reducedto nearly zero allowing current to flow from the capacitive plate 20 andground terminal 25 through the primary winding 35 of the transformer 30,which in turn induces current in the secondary winding 40. Powerconverter 110 converts the current flowing through the secondary winding40 into a usable form for driving a load 140. The transformer 30 willcontinue to resonate for a short period of time. By providing highvoltage impulses to the primary winding 35 of the resonant transformer30 at periodic intervals, it is possible to maintain a continuous flowof current from the earth into the resonant transformer 30, thusproducing a continuous supply of power.

FIG. 2 discloses a second embodiment of the primary receiver 10. Thisembodiment includes a resonant transformer 30 connected between anelevated terminal 15 and ground terminal 25. The resonant transformer 30comprises a primary winding 35, secondary winding 40, ferromagnetic core45 and a high voltage capacitor 50. One end of the primary winding 35 isconnected to the ground terminal 25. The opposite end of the primarywinding 35 is connected to the elevated terminal 15. The capacitor 50has a capacitance of about 0.01 micro-farads. In contrast to theprevious embodiment, capacitor 50 is connected in series with theprimary winding 35 and elevated terminal 15 and forms a LC circuit 55with a Q of about 10 or greater and a resonance frequency in the rangeof about 0.1 to 200 Hz. In a preferred embodiment, the resonancefrequency of the transformer 30 is 7.83 Hz, the fundamental Schumannresonance frequency. An impulse generator 60 is connected between theprimary winding 35 of the resonant transformer 30 and the seriescapacitor 50 and applies a high voltage impulse to the primary winding35 of the resonant transformer 30. A battery 130 or other external powersource supplies power to the impulse generator 60. As previouslydescribed, the high voltage impulse applied by the impulse generator 60initiates resonance within the resonant transformer 30 inducing currentflow from the ground terminal 25 into the primary winding 35 of theresonant transformer 30. The flow of current from the ground terminal 25through the primary winding 35 induces current in the secondary winding40. Power converter 110 converts the electrical energy in the currentflowing through the primary winding 40 into a usable form.

In contrast to the first embodiment, it is not required to capacitivelycouple the elevated terminal 15 in the second embodiment to the earth'sionosphere cavity. Rather, the elevated terminal 15 in this embodimentprovides lightning protection and dissipates some of the energy flowinginto the power receiver 10 to the earth's ionosphere cavity. Also, incontrast to the first embodiment, the capacitor 50 is connected inseries between the primary winding 35 of the transformer 30 and theelevated terminal 15. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thecapacitor 50 could also be connected in parallel rather than series withthe primary winding 35 as shown in FIG. 1. Another difference is thatthe impulse generator 60 has an external power source. The amount ofenergy generated by the power receiver 10, however, is far greater thanthe energy needed to generate high voltage impulses. The firstembodiment does not require an external power source to generate highvoltage impulses.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the power receiver 10. Thisembodiment is essentially the same as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.The main difference is that a center tap of the primary winding 35 inthe resonant transformer 30 is connected to an electrical ground 85. Itshould be appreciated that the electrical ground 85 may be differentthan the earth ground. When the center tap of the resonant transformer30 is grounded at a distance away from the ground terminal 25 (e.g. 50ft to 100 ft), the power receiver 10 becomes a transmitter via theground loop formed.

FIG. 4 illustrates the power receiver 10 of FIG. 2 in greater detail.The power receiver includes a resonant transformer 30 connected betweena ground terminal 25 and an elevated terminal 15. The ground terminal 25may comprise a ⅝-inch×8-foot copper ground rod, such as the ERICO615880UPC. The elevated terminal 15 may comprise a 90% copper meshformed into a hemisphere with a radius of about 9 inches. The elevatedterminal 15 may be elevated at a height of approximately 6 feet abovethe ground.

The resonant transformer 30 includes a primary winding 35, secondarywinding 40, ferromagnetic core 45 and series capacitor 50 configured aspreviously described. The resonant transformer 30 may have a Q of about10 and a resonance frequency in the range of about 0.1 to 200 Hz. Theresonant transformer 30 may be made using an Allanson transformer (part#1530BP120R) connected in series with a 0.01 micro-farad capacitor, suchas the Condensor Products high voltage capacitor (part 190 TC103-17-125). The resonant transformer 30 is used in a step-downconfiguration. The center tap of the resonant transformer 30 mayoptionally be connected to a ground.

An impulse generator 60 is connected between the primary winding 35 ofthe resonant transformer 30 and the series capacitor 50 and applies ahigh voltage impulse in the range of about 10,000 to 40,000 volts to theprimary winding of the transformer 30. A battery 130 or other externalpower source supplies power to the impulse generator 60. The powerconverter 110 connects to the secondary winding 40 of the resonanttransformer 30 for converting current in the secondary winding of thetransformer to a useful form.

The impulse generator 60 comprises a pulse generator 65 for generatinglow voltage pulses, a step-up transformer 80 for converting the lowvoltage pulses from the pulse generator 65 to high voltage pulses, and aspark gap 90 for generating sparks responsive to the high voltage pulsesfrom the step-up transformer 80.

The pulse generator 65 comprises a square wave generator 70, such as aSinometer VC2002 function signal generator, and solid state relay 75.The square wave generator 70 generates a digital pulse stream. In oneembodiment, the digital pulse stream generates a square waveform with afrequency of about 7.83 Hz. The frequency of the digital pulse stream isselected to match the resonance frequency of the transformer 30, thoughsuch is not necessarily required. The pulse stream output from thesquare wave generator 70 is applied to the solid state relay 75. Thesolid state relay 75 is connected between a battery or other powersource and a first winding of the step-up transformer 80. The batterymay comprise a 12 V, 7.0 A/H sealed lead acid battery, such as the ELB1270A by Lithonia Lighting. The solid state relay 75 functions as aswitch that is activated responsive to the waveform from the square wavegenerator 70 to provide a continuous stream of low voltage pulses fromthe battery to the first winding of the step-up transformer 80. A 1 ohmresistor is connected between the solid state relay 75 and step-uptransformer 80.

The step-up transformer 80 may comprise a Transco 15 kV, 30 mA neon signtransformer (part #S15612). The step-up transformer 80 converts the lowvoltage pulses from the pulse generator 65 to high voltage pulses thatare applied to the spark gap 90. The step-up transformer has a 0.5micro-farad capacitor connected in parallel with the primary winding ofthe step-up transformer 80. The step-up transformer produces pulses atthe output of about 30,000 to 40,000 volts.

The spark gap 90 comprises a pair of electrodes 95, 100 separated by anair gap 105. A suitable spark gap electrode pair is the InformationUnlimited SPARK05 ¼-inch×1-inch tungsten electrodes. As previouslydescribed, when the voltage potential between the electrodes 95, 100reaches a threshold, a spark forms between the electrodes 95, 100 andsupplies a nearly instantaneous, high voltage impulse to the primarywinding 35 of the resonant transformer 30. This high voltage impulseinitiates resonance in the resonant transformer 30 inducing current flowfrom the ground terminal 25 through the primary winding 35 of theresonant transformer 30.

The power converter 110 comprises a bridge rectifier 115, filtercapacitor 120, charge controller 125, and inverter 135. A suitablerectifier is the Micro Commercial Components 10 amp, 1000 volt bridgerectifier (Part #GBJL 1010). The bridge rectifier 115 converts the ACcurrent flowing through the secondary winding 40 of the resonanttransformer to a DC current. A filter capacitor 120 removes unwantedfrequencies from the DC current. A suitable capacitor 120 is CornellDubilier 1000uF 450VDC capacitor (part #383LX102M450N082). The filtercapacitor 120 has a capacitance of about 1000 micro-farads. The DCcurrent is input to the charge controller 125. The charge controller 125may, for example, comprise a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) chargecontroller, such as a Tracer 4215 BN MPPT Solar Charge Controller, whichis commonly used in solar power generating systems. The chargecontroller 125 applies a small amount of energy to a battery 30 tocharge the battery 130. As previously noted, the battery 130 serves as apower source for the impulse generator 60. The remaining current issupplied to an inverter 135, which converts the DC current to an ACcurrent with a desired voltage and frequency, e.g., 120 volts/60 Hz AC.A suitable inverter 135 is the 1500 W Pure Sine power inverter(AIMS)(part #PWR11500125).The power converter 110 as shown in FIG. 4 maybe utilized in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a power receiver 10 according to another embodiment.The power receiver 10 comprises a plurality of resonant transformers 30connected between a ground terminal 25 and elevated terminal 15. Each ofthe resonant transformers 30 comprises a primary winding 35, secondarywinding 40, ferromagnetic core 45 and series capacitor 50. The primarywindings 35 of the resonant transformers 30 are connected in parallel.The secondary windings 40 are connected in series with the powerconverter 110. An impulse generator 60 applies a high voltage impulse tothe primary windings 35 of the resonant transformers 30. A battery 130or other external power source supplies power to the impulse generator60. The power converter 110 converts the current in the power convertercircuit to a usable form for driving a load 140.

In one embodiment, each of the resonant transformers 30 shown in FIG. 5is configured to have a different resonant frequency. In one embodiment,the resonant transformers 30 are configured to resonate at frequenciesof 7.83 Hz, 14.8 Hz, 20.3 Hz and 26.8 Hz respectively. Additionalresonant transformers 30 could be added to operate at other resonancefrequencies.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate a high quality ground antenna array 200 which maybe used as a ground terminal 25. The ground antenna array 200 comprisesa generally cylindrical ground shaft 205 disposed with a hollow cylinder220 and a plurality of reinforced, heavy gauge ground wires 210 attachedat one end to the ground shaft 205. The ground shaft 205 and groundwires 210 should be highly conductive and have low resistance to supplycurrent from the ground to the power receiver 10. In one embodiment, theground wires 210 may be copper or other highly-conductive metal. The endof the ground shaft may be pointed to facilitate insertion into theearth. A connection port on the ground shaft 220 is provided toelectrically connect the ground antenna array 220 to the resonanttransformer 30.

The hollow cylinder 220 has external threads 25 to facilitate insertioninto the ground. A rotator nut 235 is fixedly secured to the top end ofthe hollow shaft 220. A square shaft 215 protrudes from the top end ofthe ground shaft 205 into the opening in the rotator nut 235. FIG. 6B. Atool 250, shown in FIG. 7, engages with the rotator nut 235 and squareshaft 215 during insertion of the ground antennas array 200 into theground as will be hereinafter described.

The insertion tool 250 is shown in FIG. 7. The insertion tool 250includes a tool body 255 having a first socket 260 on one side to fitthe rotator nut 235 on the hollow cylinder 220 and a second socket 265on the other side to fit the square shaft 215 on the ground shaft 205.Arms 270 extend from the outer periphery of the tool body 255 formanually or mechanically turning the insertion tool 250.

Before the antenna array 200 is deployed, the ground wires 210 are woundaround the ground shaft 205 with the free ends protruding slightly fromrespective openings 230 in the hollow cylinder 220 to a distance not toexceed one half (½) the depth of the external threads 225 on the hollowcylinder 220. FIG. 6B illustrates the ground antenna array 200 beforedeployment. FIG. 6C illustrates the ground antenna array in a deployedconfiguration.

Installation of the ground antenna array 200 is performed in two stages.In the first stage, a hole slightly smaller in diameter than the threads235 of the hollow cylinder 220 is drilled into the Earth to a depthmatching the length of the hollow cylinder 220 or slightly longer. Thehole is filled with water and the water is allowed to soak into thesoil. After the ground is softened, the hollow cylinder 220 is rotatedusing the insertion tool 250 to insert the ground antenna array 200 intothe ground. The first socket 260 of the insertion tool 250 is engagedwith the rotator nut 230 and the insertion tool 250 is turned by hand ora mechanized rotating shaft fitted and attached to the tool arms 270 tothread the ground assembly into the hole. During the initial insertionof the ground antenna array 200, the ground shaft 205 is fixed to thehollow shaft 220 and rotates with the hollow shaft. The hollow cylinder220 is rotated until it reaches the full depth of the hole.

Once the ground antenna array 200 has been fully inserted into theearth, the insertion tool 250 is flipped over and the second socket 265of the insertion tool 250 is engaged with the square shaft 215. Theinsertion tool 250 is turned by hand or a mechanized rotating shaftfitted and attached to the tool arms 270 to rotate the ground shaft 205.During the second phase, the ground shaft 205 rotates freely inside thehollow cylinder 220. Rotation of the ground shaft 205 causes thereinforced ground wires 210 to extend radially into the earth. Theground shaft 220 is rotated until the ground wires are fully extended.The ends of the ground wires may be sharpened to aid in the extension ofthe ground wires during the second phase.

After the ground antenna array 200 is deployed, a connection cable 280is attached to a connection port 240 on the ground shaft 220 toelectrically connect the ground antenna array 220 to the resonanttransformer 30 in the power receiver 10.

1. A power receiver for extracting electrical energy from the earth'selectric field, said power receiver comprising: a resonant transformerconnected to a ground terminal disposed below the surface of the earth;an impulse generator for generating and applying a high voltageelectrical impulse to a primary winding of the resonant transformer toinduce an alternating current flow from the ground terminal through thetransformer; and a power converter connected to a secondary winding ofthe resonant transformer to convert an alternating current flowingthrough the secondary winding to a direct current.
 2. The power receiverof claim 1 wherein a resonant frequency of the resonant transformer isbelow 200 Hz.
 3. The power receiver of claim 1 wherein the resonanttransformer comprises a ferro- resonant transformer.
 4. The powerreceiver of claim 1 wherein the impulse generator comprises: a pulsegenerator for generating low voltage pulses; a step-up transformer forconverting the low voltage pulses provided by the pulse generator tohigh voltage impulses; a spark gap connected between the step-uptransformer and the primary winding of the resonant transformer togenerate a spark responsive to the high voltage impulses from thestep-up transformer.
 5. The power receiver of claim 1 wherein theimpulse generator comprises a solid state spark generator.
 6. The powerreceiver of claim 1 wherein said resonant transformer includes acapacitor connected in parallel with the primary winding.
 7. The powerreceiver of claim 1 wherein said resonant transformer includes acapacitor connected in series with the primary winding.
 8. A method ofextracting electrical energy from the earth's electric field, the methodcomprising: applying a high voltage electrical impulse to a primarywinding of a resonant transformer connected to a ground terminaldisposed below the surface of the earth to induce an alternating currentflow from the ground terminal through the transformer; and converting analternating current flowing through a secondary winding of the resonanttransformer to a direct current.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein aresonant frequency of the resonant transformers is below 200 Hz.
 10. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the resonant transformer comprises aferro-resonant transformer.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein theimpulse generator comprises: a pulse generator for generating lowvoltage pulses; a step-up transformer for converting the low voltagepulses provided by the pulse generator to high voltage impulses; a sparkgap connected between the step-up transformer and the primary winding ofthe resonant transformer to generate a spark responsive to the highvoltage impulses from the step-up transformer.
 12. The method of claim 8wherein the impulse generator comprises a solid state spark generator.13. The method of claim 8 wherein said resonant transformer includes acapacitor connected in parallel with the primary winding.
 14. The methodof claim 8 wherein said resonant transformer includes a capacitorconnected in series with the primary winding.